Intel tops off 64-bit server platform portfolio

Targeted at the mid-tier enterprise market segment, the platform consists of five new processors for servers that use four or more processors, and a new chipset.

The platform, codenamed "Truland," includes 64-bit Intel® Xeon™ processors MP (multiprocessor) that span value to performance configurations, and the Intel® E8500 chipset. Architected for dual-core technology, the new chipset prepares customers for the forthcoming transition to multiple cores and new innovations such as Intel® Virtualization Technology.

"This year, Intel celebrates 10 years in the multiprocessor server market segment that began with the Intel® Pentium® processor and today adds a sixth generation of the Intel Xeon processor MP," said Samir Al-Schamma, Intel's General Manager in the GCC. "Over the past 10 years, Intel has helped to fundamentally change the mid-tier server market segment from expensive, proprietary machines, to affordable, powerful and innovative servers based on standards. Intel has played a leading role in delivering leading edge performance and innovation at superior value."

For the first time in any MP server platform, Intel has combined Intel® Extended Memory 64 Technology1, PCI Express, DDR2-400 Memory and Demand Based Switching with Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology. Collectively, these features help to expand memory addressability, increase server performance and improve reliability.

The 64-bit Intel Xeon processor MP has price/performance advantages for mid-tier enterprise applications, such as supply chain management, enterprise resource management, customer relationship management, and small and medium business databases. The platform complements Intel Xeon processors for dual-processor servers -- which target applications such as web and email servers -- and Intel® Itanium® processors that target proprietary and costly RISC-based servers that run applications such as large databases and high performance computing areas.

"Working with companies such as Intel, Microsoft is committed to enabling customers with the best price/performance software platform in the industry, leveraging innovations such as the new Intel Xeon processor MP and dual-core technology," said Andy Lees, corporate vice president of Server and Tools Marketing and Solutions, Microsoft Corp. "With Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions, Microsoft is delivering a single platform that will provide high-performance benefits for existing 32-bit applications, plus breakthrough performance and scalability for 64-bit applications. This is part of our work with Intel to deliver the largest portfolio of 64-bit offerings across a broad spectrum of hardware - from the desktop up to enterprise servers."

These new platforms are ready to take advantage of the Intel® Software Network, which Intel also announced today. The Intel Software Network provides development tools, training and advice for corporate and independent software developers building application for 64-bits, multi-core architectures and other future Intel platform technologies.

The 64-bit Intel Xeon processor MP platform delivers performance increases up to 70 percent across a range of enterprise and scientific applications over the previous generation Intel Xeon processor MP.2 The platform is available with up to 8 MB of Level 3 (L3) cache, a memory reservoir that helps to improve performance.
The Intel E8500 chipset has a 667 MHz dual, independent front side bus and is designed with 10.6GBs of system bandwidth, more than three times the bandwidth of the previous generation. These and other features provide the infrastructure to support forthcoming dual-core Intel Xeon processors MP including "Paxville," currently planned for the first quarter of 2006.

A wide range of 64-bit Intel Xeon processor MP systems ranging from 4-way blade, rack and pedestal servers up to systems with 32-processors inside are currently expected to be available from leading manufacturers worldwide including Egenera, Dell, Fujitsu, Fujitsu Siemens, HCL Infosystems, HP, Hitachi, IBM, Kraftway, Langchao, Lenovo, NEC, Maxdata, Samsung, Stratus, Supermicro, Tyan, Toshiba, Unisys and Wipro. In addition, Intel currently plans to make available a rack and pedestal Intel Xeon processor MP server platform for systems builders and product integrators.